2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X MR Long-Term Road Tests Archives

In the ongoing internecine feud between Evo X GSR and Evo X MR, the latter has a couple notable advantages: its mandatory SST automated manual means you don't have to puree your clutch in order to get a decent launch, and its Bilstein dampers add a slight amount of chassis-settling compliance at the track.

Still, I'm with Ed on this one: the GSR's five-speed manual may not be the best shifter ever, but it's good enough to make the GSR an easy choice over the heavier and more expensive MR. The clutch feels heavy at first but quickly becomes transparent and intuitive, and the throws are pleasingly short and direct. When I'm driving a fast car, I want to work a little for my speed. The GSR's transmission makes that job a joy rather than a chore.

As for the suspension's shortcomings, don't worry about it. A stock GSR was 0.09 seconds behind a stock MR around the Streets of Willow in our Evo comparison test.

Josh Sadlier, Associate Editor, Edmunds.com @ 24,197 miles 

Categories: 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR,2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X MR

That's right, kids, it's time again for another rabble rousing installment of Parting Shots, that oh-so-zany last ditch effort to get one more word in edgewise as a car gets unceremoneously booted from our long-term fleet. This time 'round we've got the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X MR -- it was the brownish one with the dual clutch DSST gearbox. Read the Long-Term Wrap-Up here and then come back with your own parting shots.

Continue reading...

Categories: 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X MR

It was our turn to help out with Meals on Wheels again. This time we took along the Evo MR. Not the biggest trunk in the world, but we chose it based on its navigation system.

The split screen on the nav was very helpful. We had the full view of the map on the right, with a close-up of our route instructions on the left. The nav lady's voice is much more soothing than the officious woman in the Audi A4 we took along last time.

The trunk was a little cramped but we managed just fine. The back of the Evo is much easier to lift than the heavy door of the A4.

And with the 291-horsepower turbocharged engine, we completed our route in record time. Met lots of nice people again, too.

It was a good day.

Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor

Categories: 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X MR

It says right here that the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo's fuel tank measures out to 14.6 gallons. If you use our 17.3 mpg observed fuel economy over the course of 19,281 miles (which meets the EPA's estimate of 17 mpg city for the Evo MR with its dual-clutch automated manual transmission), this works out to a cruising range of 247 miles.

Maybe this is plenty for a hobby car, but it's not enough for a real-world automobile.

It's especially not enough when you're dealing with the Lancer Evo's little electronic bar graph that functions as a fuel gauge, which hovers hopefully at the half-tank mark too long, only to precipitously plunge toward empty too late. Plus the trip computer's DTE (Distance to Empty) calculation goes blank when the estimate is less than 50 miles. And the low-fuel warning light comes on only after this, when it's really time to panic.

Over the course of the last year, the MR's fuel log indicates that even our group of reluctant refuelers all caved in and found the gas station before 200 miles. And yet even those brave enough to challenge the 220-mile mark rarely received a fill-up of more than 13.1 gallons for their trouble.

True enough, the Evo MR's EPA highway rating of 22 mpg suggest that your visits to the gas station could come at 315-mile intervals when you're traveling out there on the Interstate. And sure it's difficult to package a fuel tank in a car with all-wheel drive hardware. But this car needs more cruising range if it's going to break away from hobby car status.

Michael Jordan, Executive Editor @ 19,281 miles

Categories: 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X MR,Vehicles

Most of you got this right away. I was driving the 2008 Mitsubishi Evo X MR.

Our pal the Stig was standing on the driver seat leaning against the back rest.

Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor

Categories: 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X MR

There are several cars in our long-term fleet that I could see myself owning as a daily driver.

Of course, there are the dreams cars. If I had a million dollars I would own an Audi R8. If I could afford to change the oil, I would drive a Nissan GT-R every day, even to the store around the corner, just because it's fun.

But if you take winning the lottery out of the equation, there are still some real cars I would own with no regrets. This weekend, I drove our Mitsubishi Evo MR. This is definitely a car I could own. I like the way it looks, the way the Recaro seats feel, the boost when I put my foot down. It sucks gas like a college freshman goes through beer and it has a smallish trunk, but it suits my lifestyle. I can even deal with that bookshelf that lives on its back.

Which cars in our fleet would you want to own in the real world?

Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor @ 18,927 miles

Categories: 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X MR

Scott Oldham sent me this photo of the Evo GSR in front of the Velocity Cafe.

We offer you this: "My car may get 10 mpg but I drink organic coffee. My footprint is covered."

OK, that's way too long. How about "I'll have a half caf vanilla latte extra torquey, please."

It was getting late and we were running out of gas. I expect you'll be able to do better than us.

We'll post our favorite at 4 PM Pacific Time, unless I get the chance to leave early, then maybe you'll see it sooner.

Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor

Categories: 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X MR,Caption Contest

What is wrong with you poeple? I thought I'd be a hero for dewinging our Evo, but the bulk of you like it better with that silly thing attached to its rump.   

I can't believe it. Hell, even Mitu has sold an Evo in the USA without a big, dumb salami slicer glued to the trunk. Here are a couple of shots of the lightweight Evo VIII RS. It was the baddest Evo you could buy back in 2004 and it is wingless, as is our long-term BMW M3 sedan I might add. And the Mercedes E63. You don't see Audi making any RS4s with buildings bolted to the trunk, do you? 

Man, get with the program. Smooth is in.  

Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief 

Categories: 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR,2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X MR

It happens every time I drive our long-term Evo X MR.

I approach it with a slight grimace. I can't believe this thing is based on the Dodge Caliber.

And I leave it with an appreciative grin. I can't believe this thing is based on the Dodge Caliber!

Yeah, Mitsubishi deserves a lot of credit for turning one of the most forgettable platforms in recent memory (Caliber, Compass, Patriot, Sebring, Journey...) into a world-class performance car.

Too bad it rides like the wheels are bolted to the frame, as my colleague Mr. DiPietro would say.

Do a search for "Evo X MR Bilstein" and you'll find plenty of plaudits for the supposedly compliant ride that the MR's exclusive Bilstein shocks and Eibach springs provide. Nonsense. This car turns barely visible freeway seams into seismic events. Whap! Ouch. What the hell? The MR's four doors hint at daily-driver practicality, but that's a check the suspension can't cash.

Josh Sadlier, Associate Editor, Edmunds.com @ 18,761 miles

Categories: 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X MR

Our executive editor Michael Jordan has given you the technical and philosophical lowdown on the Mitsubishi Evolution MR's Getrag-built twin-clutch transmission. Plus, we know from experience that the TC-SST (with its S-Sport mode) is the real deal if you want to go fast on a road course or mountain road.

But, I can't stop wanting this advanced transmission to feel like a regular automatic in traffic. Yep, I'm soft like that. And while TC-SST is probably the friendliest of all the automated dual-clutch boxes out there, I can't settle on a driving mode.

In "Normal," the car feels sluggish moving off the line and I feel like I'm always having to rethink my throttle input to compensate. But after I'm moving, the shift logic is spot-on for mindless drives around town.

In "Sport," our Evo MR moves off the line like I want it to, but then the TC-SST has you cruising in one gear too low for comfort. Also, downshifts are now rev-matched in a very obvious way, which feels gratuitous around town.

The upshot is that I'm continually switching between Normal and Sport, even when I'm just running errands. I think I'd rather get the cheaper Evo GSR and have more control over shift points and how the car responds to throttle input. But in saying that, I'm admitting that I don't care about being fast through corners: Even if I'm really on my game shifting the GSR's five-speed, I'm no match for the MR's TC-SST.

So, are you a Normal, a Sport or a Neither? Update: Or a Super Sport (S-Sport)?

Erin Riches, Senior Editor @ 18,444 miles

Categories: 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X MR

Here are the fuel economy numbers for 2009. We've listed the best, worst and overall average tanks.

As always, we were missing a few cars that were out of town or unavailable at the time of this writing. I'll add them as they come in and I'll let you know in the comments.

After the jump you can see the list sorted by best average MPG.

Continue reading...

Categories: 2002 BMW M3,2007 Honda Civic GX,2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI,2008 Ford Focus SES Coupe,2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X MR,2008 Pontiac G8 GT,2008 Smart Fortwo Passion Coupe,2009 Audi A4 Avant,2009 Audi S5,2009 BMW 750i,2009 BMW M3,2009 Dodge Challenger R/T,2009 Ford Flex Limited,2009 Honda Fit Sport,2009 Hyundai Genesis V6,2009 Infiniti FX50 AWD,2009 Mazda 6 i Grand Touring,2009 Nissan 370Z Touring,2009 Nissan GT-R,2009 Suzuki SX4,2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI

Once again, I traveled a good distance in the MR, but this time it was for work. I did a straight shot east on interstate 10 for about 400 miles.

The MR was a caged beast this time 'round due to the large presence of speed cameras in Arizona. I thought I could just try to relax and enjoy the satellite radio, but the subscription ran out before I left LA. DAMN! Nothing but static for the majority of the drive through no-mans land (aka the Palm Desert).

Thankfully in Arizona I was able to let off some steam and get a little sideways.

Scott Jacobs, Senior Photographer

Categories: 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X MR

Fleet Week is ending its week-long run today in NYC. Back at the center of activities is the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid.

What does this vessel have in common with our long-term Mitsu Evo Ten MR? Both have gigantic turning radii. As Caroline also previously noted, the Evo MR's turning diameter is 38.7 feet. For comparsion, the 2009 Subaru WRX STI's turning circle is 36.1 feet. (The Intreprid's turning radius is probably several nautical miles, just a bit more than the Evo's.)

Turning radius is something we take for granted in most cars, but when you attempt a U-turn in the Evo MR, you can get an unpleasant surprise.

Everybody in our shop has commented about the Evo MR's poor outward field of view, both to the front and the rear. When this is combined with the large turning radius, parking isn't just an adventure, it's a job!

Belated Happy Memorial Day; and thanks to those who have served.

Albert Austria, Sr Vehicle Evaluation Engineer @ 17,151 miles

Categories: 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X MR

Would I buy one? It's a question I ask myself whenever I slide behind the wheel of a car. Would I drop my hard earned money on one of these? Would I want to own it? Drive it for years? Look at it in my driveway? Tell people it's mine?

It's also the question you the reader ask me the most. So I've decided to go through all the cars we now have in our fleet and decide whether or not I would buy one. I also included a few recently departed vehicles. Seems appropriate since they just left us. 

Continue reading...

Categories: 2002 BMW M3,2004 Toyota Prius,2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDI,2006 Lexus RX 400h,2007 Ford Edge SEL,2007 Honda Civic GX,2008 Audi R8,2008 BMW 135i,2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI,2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT,2008 Ford Focus SES Coupe,2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR,2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X MR,2008 Pontiac G8 GT,2008 Smart Fortwo Passion Coupe,2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI,2009 Audi A4 Avant,2009 Audi S5,2009 BMW 750i,2009 BMW M3,2009 Dodge Challenger R/T,2009 Ford Flex Limited,2009 Honda Fit Sport,2009 Hyundai Genesis V6,2009 Infiniti FX50 AWD,2009 Mazda 6 i Grand Touring,2009 Nissan 370Z Touring,2009 Nissan GT-R,2009 Suzuki SX4,2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI

Thanks to ergsum for this week's favorite caption.

Here are some others that made us laugh:

In Jaws 5, the sneaky shark approaches victims from land. (oldchap)
Oh miss? Your calipers are showing. (miniharryc)
Evo X and Eve XXX (rick8365)
I'm going to wash that Subie right out of my hair (cowbell)
Eve, Evolution has arrived. (bedabibedabo)
Lancer??? I don't even know her. (vwthing1)
Do not be tempted by the mural...Nudie Rudy is inside the store. (vwthing1)
The Evolution of the forbidden fruit. (altimadude00)
Calgon take me away...and fast!! (m_thrizzle)

What was your favorite?

Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor

Categories: 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X MR,Caption Contest

The Scotts took this photo of our Evo MR next to some colorful wall art.

I suggest "Deliver us from Evo."

What have you got?

When commenting, imagine that your mother will be reading what you wrote. PG-13, please.

OK, NC-17.

Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor

Categories: 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X MR,Caption Contest

Search your feelings, you know it to be true.

Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief @ 16,631 miles

Categories: 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X MR

The main focus for my drive up to the White Mountains in our Evo MR the other day was to do a 10k trail run race near Bridgeport. My run time was somewhat pathetic. I'd like to say it was the high altitude, but my general lack of preparation lead to the pain and agony my body was feeling at that moment.

I drove the Evo back down towards where I was camping to recuperate and the wing on the back of this car finally broke me. Maybe because I was irritable due to the pain I was in, maybe it's because I like to check my mirrors often, but the blind spot it creates is very frustrating. I found myself cursing aloud at not being able to see the cars behind me as that damn wing completely obscures anything 40 yards behind you to the horizon.

On the way back to my campsite, there are some natural hot springs that I thought my aching legs would enjoy. Unfortunately the pools were already filled with Nudie Rudy and his pals. I wish I had that wing in front of me now.

Scott Jacobs, Senior Photographer

Categories: 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X MR

A couple of concerns for a long trip in a car:

1) Snacks/Water

2) Music

3) Comfortable seats

Surprisingly, the snug race style seats in the MR are very comfortable for me over the long haul. I found that the bolstering and support for my thighs/sides helped keep my butt from taking all the weight of my body into the seat cushion, slowly compressing the padding and making the seat uncomfortable.

After driving 400 miles, my legs and back were fresh. Thumbs up!

Scott Jacobs, Senior Photographer

Categories: 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X MR

I hit the road right after a sunrise shoot in Palmdale. I've always wanted to see the Ancient Bristlecone Forest in the White Mountains and it was only a few hours drive away. I didn't want to waste any time.

Right before I got to the parking lot for the grove of Bristlecones, I saw a pull out with a view. One hell of a nice view it was back over to the eastern side of the Sierras. The only thing keeping me from really enjoying the beautiful vista was the thin air at 9,000 feet and a light headache.

Scott Jacobs, Senior Photographer

Categories: 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X MR